The Last Command

When Harry awoke the next morning, he couldn't help but groan. He ached in places he didn't know he had and felt incredibly drained. Looking back to the previous night, he didn't recall feeling so... beat up. By morning, though, it was obvious the training had caught up to him. As awareness returned to him, he recognized that someone was shaking him awake.

"Harry... Harry? What did that bastard do to you?" Ron's voice entered his consciousness.

Harry pulled the pillow over his head and grumbled, "Go 'way, Ron."

"Sorry, can't do that, Hermione'd have my head. She told me to get you up. Besides, you have to see today's Prophet." Ron wrestled the pillow away from Harry.

He held the newspaper in front of Harry's face until Harry grabbed it. Harry rubbed his eyes, and blindly searched for his glasses. After placing them on his face he finally could see what Ron was talking about.

Ministry Officials say Boy-Who-Lived is Mistaken

Yesterday we informed you that Harry Potter, The Chosen One, felt that the Ministry of Magic was unfairly targeting him. Shortly after yesterday's edition came out, the Ministry contacted us. It seems that one "Mafalda Hopkirk," working in the Improper Use of Magic Office, didn't check with her superiors before sending out a warning letter to Mr. Potter. The Ministry also issued the following official statement:

The Ministry would like Mr. Potter and the rest of the Daily Prophet's readers to know that it was simply a mistake. Ms. Hopkirk has been demoted due to her oversight, and Mr. Potter is, of course, free to do what ever it is he needs to do to fight He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Harry nearly threw the paper across the room. "Those lying..."

"I know... but, Harry, at least you can Apparate now. I doubt they'll even make you take the test!" Ron cut him off.

Harry was gripping the newspaper and twisting it. "Ron, now I'm responsible for someone losing their job! She was just doing what she was supposed to. I've gotten enough letters from her over the years to know..."

"I know how you feel mate, but really, it's a small price to pay. Once this is all over, you can get her her job back."

"I guess..."

"'Sides, we've got to get down to breakfast. Remus wants us and Hermione to Floo to Hogwarts and start training with him and McGonagall."

Harry suppressed a groan. He really didn't want to train any more; he already felt like he'd been run over by a herd of Thestrals. Ron must have noticed his expression, because he spoke up again.

"What'd Snape do to you, seriously, you look horrible."

"Nothing worse than usual, just defense training. And Occlumency, again." He sighed.

"Well, let's get breakfast and you can tell us all about it." Ron snatched the paper from Harry before he could rip it to shreds.

Harry went to the restroom, pulled a clean outfit on and made his way downstairs. He paused at the doorway to the kitchen. Fleur was sitting at the table, but as soon as she saw him she stood and gave him a crushing hug. "'Arry," she sniffed, "Gabrielle's funeral is on Wednesday... she would have wanted you to be zere."

Caught off guard, and too tired to think about it, he nodded. She started bawling. To Harry's relief, Bill guided her away, nodding his appreciation to Harry.

Mrs. Weasley was placing eggs on a plate, and Harry's stomach made a loud grumble. He blushed, not realizing how hungry he was. He sat down, and let Mrs. Weasley serve him.

Ron elbowed him. "You said you would tell us what happened yesterday," he said between bites.

"Oh, sorry, still a bit tired," Harry said, then recounted the day's events to his friends.

Hermione nodded approvingly. "It's about time you learned Occlumency, Harry. Once you've learned that, and possibly some Legilimency too, you'll be much more able to face Voldemort."

Harry was spared a response by Mrs. Weasley's tsking in disapproval. He turned his attention to his meal, and ate it with an appreciation he hadn't had since the last time Dudley was on a diet.

He heard a soft chuckle behind him. "Easy there, Harry. We're going to be doing a lot today and I'd rather not have you sick."

Harry swallowed the mouthful of food he had just taken, choking slightly at the effort. Ron noticed his plight, and handed him a glass of milk.

"Sorry, Remus," he replied, his face still red.

"Don't worry about it, I was a teenage boy once." Lupin smiled.

Harry thought it was more than just being a teenager, but he didn't say anything.

"You three ready to go?"

Harry took another sip of milk, and nodded. He, Ron and Hermione all stood and followed Lupin to the fireplace.

Lupin stepped in and called out "Headmistress McGonagall's office, Hogwarts."

Harry flinched slightly at the name; he didn't think he would ever get used to it no longer being Dumbledore's office. He stepped into the fireplace and followed his former professor.

He stepped out the fireplace and looked around. He had thought that by now McGonagall would have changed the room, but it still looked exactly as it had when Dumbledore occupied it.

"Harry, my boy!" He heard a disturbingly familiar voice from the wall.

"Hello, Professor Dumbledore..." Harry began, but was interrupted by McGonagall coming into the room.

"There you are, Mr. Potter," McGonagall stated, then she turned to Ron and Hermione, who had Flooed in after Harry. "Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," she acknowledged, "please, have a seat." She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk.

Harry glanced at Dumbledore's portrait, who nodded at him. He gave a half smile and sat down between his two friends. Lupin stood behind them, and put a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder.

Professor McGonagall spoke, "Mr. Potter, how did your session with Mr. Snape go?"

"All right, I guess," he answered hesitantly. "I see him again tomorrow."

"Yes, I know. You are getting along better with him now?" Something glinted in her eye. Not quite the twinkle Dumbledore had, but she seemed to be trying.

"I'm trying to," he grumbled.

"That's all I ask." She looked at his companions. "As you are aware, with the attack on Hogwarts at the end of last year, we have decided to close the school until times are... well, until things are more settled."

Hermione was nodding, and Ron spoke up, "We understand."

"With Hogwarts closed to students, it does make a good place to train those who cannot help but be involved." She looked pointedly at the three teens in front of her. "Along with you, I think that some of the students you had in 'Dumbledore's Army'," she looked over her glasses at Harry, "might be of some assistance to you."

"I don't want anyone else to get hurt on my account, I don't think..." Harry started to protest.

Hermione interrupted him, "Harry, just think about it. How much did you learn when you were teaching the D.A.? Sometimes teaching can make you learn more than you would normally. If you train three days a week with Snape, and two mornings a week with the teachers here, you could just teach the D.A. one afternoon a week. At the very least, they'll be better suited if they ever come into contact with Death Eaters. You have to admit there's a fairly good likelihood of that, even if they weren't associated with you."

"Precisely what I was thinking, Miss Granger." Hermione beamed.

Harry's mind was swimming with how much work it would be. He was sore and achy after one day of training with Snape. He didn't know if he could handle all of it. He looked at Lupin and his friends. They all seemed so... eager. Reluctantly, he nodded.

"Wonderful, Mr. Potter." McGonagall smiled. "Now, let's get you to your first lesson. Miss Granger, do you think that you could put together a list of students you think should be included? Mr. Potter, you may go over it and revise it by Thursday. Then I shall write letters to the students."

Harry nodded and stood. He glanced longingly at Dumbledore's portrait. "Later, Mr. Potter. I'm sure you two can catch up," McGonagall told him quietly.

"Thanks."

They made their way down to the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, the three of them taking three desks in the front of the room. Lupin followed closely behind them, and they started a very loose discussion on what they did and did not know. Lupin also helped Harry put together an impromptu lesson plan for when they started the D.A. again.

Hermione was a bit reluctant to use the name 'Dumbledore's Army'. Harry had other ideas.

'That's what we are. We're Dumbledore's Army. We aren't doing this for the Ministry. We aren't even doing this for the prophecy. We're doing this because this is what Dumbledore died for. Because Dumbledore was GOOD! We can't dismiss his name because he is dead. He is the ideal we should be striving for. Don't you think?"

Even Hermione had nothing to say to that. They kept the name.

After they had worked out the logistics, the three teens stood in a triangle and took turns attacking each other, both with words and without. Lupin worked his way around them, helping each one with their technique in turn. By the end of their session, Hermione was still the only one who could accomplish any non-verbal spells, and even then there was only a fifty percent chance of her getting it.

Professor Flitwick came in and invited the trio to lunch in the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione hastily agreed. Harry, however, wanted to speak with Dumbledore's portrait. Lupin gently took Harry's arm and shook his head. "You may speak with him later, before you leave. But you need to eat, you're far too thin." Harry grudgingly agreed, and went with his friends and former professors to eat.

He had almost finished his meal when Professor McGonagall came to him. She spoke directly in his ear, and he jumped up to go with her. "Dumbledore," he said to his friends hastily, and he followed the Headmistress up to her office.

"Harry! You've come to see me at last." Even the portrait had twinkly eyes; Harry grinned at it.

"I'm sorry, sir... things have been... hectic."

"I imagine so, my dear boy. Come tell me about it."

"I got your letter. Fawkes gave it to me."

"Ah. How is Fawkes? I miss him terribly, but I doubt he will come back to Hogwarts any time soon."

"He seems fine, sir. He's been acting as a messenger between me and Snape."

"Wonderful! I'm glad you two are communicating. Fawkes, I'm sure, is delighted to work with you."

Harry smiled and nodded, determined not to let Dumbledore distract him. "Sir, can you tell me about Snape? How you can... How can you trust him after...after..." Harry found himself getting inexplicably choked up. He didn't realize it would be this hard.

"Harry, I have tried not to keep you in the dark as much as I did when you were younger. When Sirius Black died, I realized the error in my judgment. You have always wanted to know everything you could, but some things I needed to let you find out for yourself. Sometimes, there is no, 'why'.

"Severus's reasons for leaving Tom Riddle are his, and I cannot share all of them with you. Nor can I share his reasons for joining in the first place. If he wishes to share them with you, he will.

"This last year, Severus was under tremendous pressure. In the end I knew that either he and Draco Malfoy would perish, or I would. Harry, I had lived my life, and though I know how much you--and many others--wished me to stay around, life simply does not work that way. I was not all-powerful, despite what it seemed. I did not fear death, as I have said before, it is the last great adventure. It was my time.

"You and Severus have a much more important role in this than I ever did. Share with him what you know about the Horcruxes. He is more able to help you in that quest than I was, and I left the entirety of the secret for you to share with him. He is also able to teach you Occlumency and Legilimency, where I didn't have the time to."

"Professor, what if this is all some elaborate trap?" Harry could feel tears prickling at his eyes.

"It isn't, Harry. Severus is the only one who can help you."

Harry sighed, resigned. "May I speak to you again? I miss you."

"Harry, I am gone. You may speak to me if you have questions. I will do my best to answer them. Professor McGonagall is also available to you. However, I don't think it is the healthiest thing for you to talk to me on a regular basis. Remember the Mirror of Erised; people can become addicted to portraits of loved ones just as easily."

"But, sir..."

"Enough, Harry, you know what you must do."

"Thank you, sir."

"Any time, Harry. Give my regards to Severus." Dumbledore smiled at him, closed his eyes, and started to snore softly.

Harry wiped the tears from his face, took a deep breath, and walked from the room in search of his friends.